Before you contact your insurance company, try calling a roofing contractor first and schedule an inspection to assess the damage. Why call a contractor first? Because the contractor can give you an accurate, objective assessment complete with a full report before the insurance adjuster arrives on the scene.

In addition, if the adjuster has any questions about the damage or what is needed to repair the roof, the contractor can speak directly with the adjuster. This can eliminate any possible problems that may arise during the adjuster’s assessment and give you tremendous leverage when filing a claim. Below, we’ll look at why you should call a roofing contractor in Florida first after a disaster.

Hire a Roofing Contractor That Has Experience Working with Insurance Companies

The claims process can be lengthy and complicated. One mistake can hurt your claim and cost you thousands of dollars. The same can happen if you hire a contractor that has little experience with insurance companies. Therefore, when searching for a reputable contractor, go with a company that has experience working with insurance adjusters.

A seasoned roofing contractor can work directly with the insurance provider and take care of practically the entire process for you. They can handle much of the paperwork, correspondence, estimates, damage assessments, and, of course, the roofing replacement. The right company can take the headache out of restoring your roof while you are trying to get your family back on its feet.

Hiring a Contractor First May Prevent the Insurer from Denying Your Claim

A roofing contractor will give you a fair and objective roof inspection. An adjuster represents the insurance company, but the roofing contractor represents YOU. The roofer can be there when you meet with the adjuster. Any questions can be directed to the contractor, who can answer them intelligently. The contractor can confirm that the damage was caused by the disaster and was not pre-existing.

Some other ways you can prevent your roof replacement insurance claim from getting denied include the following:

Do not delay contacting the contractor and your insurance company.
Take photos or videos of the damage as soon as possible.
Know your homeowner’s insurance policy and what it covers.
Keep your insurance premiums current—do not be late.
Schedule a roof inspection and maintenance annually.
Make sure you adhere to the roof warranty.

All these actions keep you interacting with your roofing contractor regularly. The more work your contractor does on your roof, the more they get to know the roofing system. This can be a huge benefit when dealing with an insurance adjuster after a disaster.

Roofing Contractors Know What Insurance Adjusters Look for After a Disaster

Knowing in advance what the insurance adjuster looks for after a disaster can help you prepare for the inspection. However, as a homeowner, you may have no idea what an inspection consists of or what to look for after the roof is damaged. Fortunately, a roofing contractor knows what the adjuster will inspect and how to assess the value of your insurance claim. Insurance adjusters are concerned with three main issues:

Age of the Roof
Older roofs are a liability in severe weather. Aged roofs in coastal areas of Florida are highly vulnerable to damage. Insurance companies need to assess older roofs to determine whether the risk is too high to continue coverage. If the company continues to provide coverage, they may use it against you when you file a claim.
Proper Installation and Maintenance
If your roof was installed or repaired improperly, it could cause problems that cost the insurance company thousands of dollars in claims. Insurance adjusters can identify an improper installation and cite issues that range from code violations and outdated materials to safety issues or failing to install the roof according to manufacturer specifications. This can work against you after your roof has been damaged by a storm.
Visible Signs of Internal and External Damage
While some signs of damage are evident, other signs may be more difficult to spot. Insurance adjusters perform in-depth inspections to identify problems that you or a roofer may have missed before the storm. While these types of damage are harder to find after a roof is already damaged, an adjuster has the experience and training necessary to differentiate between a pre-existing condition and damage caused by the disaster.

Schedule a Free Roof Inspection

Quality Roofing offers premier roofing services for homeowners in Florida. Call (850) 753-0041 or fill out the quick form on our contact page to schedule a free roof inspection.

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